Health tips the French are going crazy for

France is our inspiration for many things – fashion, interiors, food. BUT now we’ve got a new French cult to follow.

A new book written by Parisian surgeon and beloved TV doctor Michel Cymes (think France’s answer to Dr. Christian) has been a runaway bestseller across the channel, and now his book, Live Better and Longer (Quercus, £12.99), has been translated into English, so we can get in on the action.

The French medic, who by all accounts is charming, charismatic and funny, aims to help you give your body “the best MOT it’s ever experienced” with a range of health tips to transform your life.

Available in capsules, flakes, powder or tablets, brewer’s yeast provides you with proteins, trace elements and vitamins D and B. According to Dr. Cymes, it's a wonder supplement that helps with fatigue, irritability, improves digestion and is good for your nails, hair and skin.

2. Get the right ingredients in your moisturiser

Dr. Cymes insists you don’t need to worry about the price tag of your moisturiser – just look for a few simple ingredients, such as glycerine and panthenol. More expensive creams, he says, are just “selling a dream”.

3. Saffron for your spirits

Add some saffron to your recipes – Dr. Cymes says it's a natural anti–depressant and gives an energising boost. It’s also rumoured that regular consumption of saffron improves your libido. “My advice: use it in thread rather than powder form. It will enhance a paella, stew, risotto or bouillabaisse marvelously,” Dr. Cymes says.

4. Make up for lost iron

Having a period means you lose out on iron, vital for helping oxygen attach itself to red blood cells. And less oxygen = less energy. Counteract this loss by filling up on beans, lentils, chickpeas and soya. Red meat, fish, and nuts will also help.

5. Get up to get over a hangover

While it may be tempting to curl up in a ball all day feeling sorry for yourself, Dr. Cymes encourages you to do some cardio. He says the perspiration will help eliminate everything that is making your head and stomach churn, and you’ll essentially sweat all the toxins out your body. “You’ll notice that people who exercise regularly are better at handling the excesses of a big night than others, for the simple reason that their bodies are used to expelling waste,” says Dr. Cymes.

6. Stressed? Have a cold shower

While cold showers are often associated with waking you up, the body actually needs a drop in temperature for relaxation. Have an early-evening cold shower before eating to prepare you for an anxiety-free sleep, says Dr. Cymes. Go for 15 degrees, and you can drop it to 10 if you’re feeling really brave.

7. Eat garlic

Garlic is not only delicious, it’s also a superfood, says Dr. Cymes, who raves about its benefits. He says it provides protection against stomach and intestinal cancer, helps battle cardiovascular disease, slows the effects of ageing and it’s even good for your breasts. And if you’re worried about the smell on your breath afterwards, try chewing on some parsley, fresh mint or coffee beans. Bonne sante.

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